Rolling bearing, notably for ship's propeller or for wind turbine

Abstract

Rolling bearing (1) comprising an inner ring (3), an outer ring (2), at least one row of rolling elements which are arranged between raceways formed on the rings (2, 3) and a ring gear (6) that has a circumference of less than 360° and is fixed to one of the rings (2). The ring gear (6) is formed of a single gear segment (7) which has a circumference substantially equal to the circumference of the ring gear (6) and is provided on its inner or outer peripheral surface with a plurality of meshing means (7b) and fixed only to one of either the inner or outer rings (3) of the rolling bearing (1).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority to French Patent Application No. FR1260017 filed on Oct. 22, 2012, the contents of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to the field of rolling bearings and notably relates to rolling bearings used in the field of ship's propellers or wind turbines.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]A “ship” means a high-tonnage vessel intended for maritime shipping, such as merchant shipping (oil tankers, container ships, fishing boats, etc.), warships (aircraft carriers, submarines, etc.) or alternatively large sailing boats or cruise liners. A ship's propeller typically takes the form of an assembly comprising an engine which drives the rotation of at least one propeller screw, this propeller being fixed to the hull of the ship, notably at the rear of the ship. In order to steer the ship, it is known practice to use what is known as a “pitch bearing” in o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a way to replace a damaged gear segment without having to remove the entire inner or outer ring, or even the entire rolling bearing. This simplifies the disassembly process. By using a ring gear with a circumference of 90 degrees or less, the amount of material used is significantly reduced.

Problems solved by technology

However, such a rolling bearing referred to as a pitch bearing works only when it is necessary to orientate the blade or the propeller and performs small rotations, such that only a small portion of the gear teeth is used.

In addition, such a rolling bearing may be stationary for lengthy periods of time, thus causing accelerated degradation.

As the gear teeth wears, it then becomes necessary to dismantle the inner ring, or even the rolling bearing in its entirety, which is a relatively complex and expensive operation.

Although such a device allows only the gear to be changed in the event of wear, the plurality of fixing means generates great overall external dimensions and is complicated to achieve.

However, as the gear teeth wears, it then becomes necessary to remove the inner ring in its entirety.

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